Ok, so let’s talk about something important today. The best health insurance for visitors to USA!
Many visitors to the USA overlook health insurance because it is cheaper in their country (say, for example, India) and expect health insurance to work the same in the USA. Big mistake!
Americans spent twice as much on healthcare as 10 high-income nations in 2016, paying a high price for everything from prescription drugs to doctors’ salaries, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Medical care in the US is alarmingly expensive, it is therefore wiser to get travel insurance when visiting USA.
Healthcare in US is expensive. Even treatment for common flu can run into hundreds of dollars. If you don’t have insurance during your visit to USA, you could be spending a lot of money out of pocket.
Good news is that medical insurance for US visitors comes reasonably cheap. Buying a policy online can cover you against most unexpected situations like falling sick, medical expenses, baggage loss etc.
Also read: Best Medical insurance for parents visiting USA.
In this article, I’ll list out some of the best health insurance plans for US visitors.
Which is the Best Health Insurance for Visitors to USA
Here are the best health insurance for visitors to USA. (Reviews below)
Atlas America
Atlas America Insurance is an excellent health insurance plan for non-US citizens visiting the USA.
Administered by HCC MIC, this plan provides medical coverage and emergency services for visitors to the USA including,
- Emergency Medical Evacuation and Emergency Reunion
- Repatriation of Remains
- Return of Minor Children
- Terrorism
- Political Evacuation
- Natural Disaster – Replacement Accommodations
- Hospitalization and Outpatient Treatment
- Sports Coverage
- Complications of Pregnancy
- Crisis Response and
- Personal Liability
After paying the deductible, Atlas America pays 100% up to the selected policy maximum within the chosen PPO network.
No wonder, this is the most popular travel insurance plan among visitors.
Patriot America Plus
Patriot America Plus is an A-rated visitors travel insurance plan administered by IMG Global. The plan is best suited for individuals and families traveling to the US and offers health coverage and emergency services.
It covers trips as short as 2 days and as long as 12 months. Patriot America Plus provides a wide range of plan maximum limits and deductible options.
Cheap is not always the best. Check for plan exclusions in the fine print. Make sure it’s not a policy that’s just good on paper.
Safe Travels USA
Safe Travels USA is another great choice for health insurance for visitors to USA. It offers the following benefits.
SafeTravels USA Benefits
- Coverage for medical accident and sickness, emergency medical and political evacuation, repatriation of remains, trip interruption, baggage, and accidental death & dismemberment
- $75 Doctor Wellness Visit Benefit
- Acute Onset of a Pre-Existing Medical Condition
- Up to $1,000,000 in Secondary emergency medical coverage
- Coverage from 5 days to 1 year
- Renewable with uninterrupted coverage for up to 24 consecutive months
- Athletic sports coverage available
Visitors Care
Another basic plan administered by IMG, Visitors Care Insurance is what is called a “fixed coverage plan”. It is underwritten bu Sirius International.
Visitors Care rates start as low as $17 per month and offer the choice of $25,000, $50,000 or $100,000 policy maximum and deductibles of $0, $50 and $100. You can visit a provider of your choice, when using this policy.
Visitors Care Travel Insurance Plan Benefits
Comprehensive plans offer a lot more features and benefits compared to limited coverage plans.
Inbound Guest
Inbound Guest Insurance is a limited coverage plan administered by Seven Corners, available to non-US citizens or any kind of visa holder visiting America for a short trip.
Related: Limited v/s Comprehensive Insurance – Which is better?
Comprehensive plans provide more benefits to US visitors, compared to limited coverage plans.
Here are some of the best comprehensive health insurance plans for US visitors.
- Patriot America Plus
- Safe Travels USA
- Cover America Gold
Related: You can also choose a good travel insurance plan from here.
Also read: What is the right time to buy travel insurance
Best Health Insurance For US Visitors Over 70 Years
For US visitors who are 70-79 years old, the best health insurance are…
International Major Medical
Administered by PIU, and underwritten by Lloyd’s of London, International Major Medical Insurance offers short term health insurance coverage (up to 6 months) and emergency medical services to visitors to America.
It is more popular with folks over 70 to 84 years of age, because it offers most policy maximum (up to $500,000) for that age range.
The disadvantage with this policy is that it is not extendable or reneable.
Patriot Platinum
Patriot Platinum Insurance is an well tailored health insurance plan for US visitors administered by IMG. The plan covers all the basic expenses expected from traditional travel insurance.
Patriot Platinum Benefits
- Maximum Limits – $2,000,000 – $8,000,000
- Deductible – From $0 to $25,000
- Extensions – Up to continuous 36 months
- Emergency medical evacuation – Up to maximum limit
- Coinsurance:
– In network : IMG pays 100%
– Out-of-network : IMG pays 90% up to $5,000 then 100% - Acute on-set of pre-existing conditions: Under 70 years of age , with varying limits by age up to $1,000,000. $25,000 maximum limit for medical evacuation.
- Remote transportation: $5,000 per period, $20,000 lifetime maximum.
- Supplemental accident: $300 per covered accident.
Best Health Insurance for Visitors Above 80 Years
For US visitors above 80 years, the best health insurnace option is…
Safe Travels USA
Safe Travels USA Insurance is a comprehensive coverage plan administered by Trawick International. The plan covers up to the first $1000 of covered expenses for the unexpected recurrence of a pre-existing medical condition.
Although elderly visitors have the options to choose from limited coverage plans, it is recommended to go for a comprehensive plan to ensure better protection through the entire trip.
Also read: Best travel insurance based on visitors age
Got a question? Please ask in comments.
All the best!
Patriot America Plus, Safe Travels USA and Atlas America are the best insurance for US visitors.
No, visitors to USA are not eligible for Obamacare.
A five day stay in any US hospital can attract bills of up to $10,000.
But it really depends on the condition treated, and the procedures administered.
Yes. Tourists can get health insurance in USA if you buy short term health insurance prior to your travel date. You can buy insurance online. See best insurance plans above.
Health and travel insurance to USA is reasonably cheap. Actual cost depends on the plan you choose, your age, how long you stay in the US and what coverage you opt for. Generally, visitor health insurance costs anything from a few hundred ($100 – $200) to thousands if you like (for high-end comprehensive coverage plans).
Health insurance for US visitors is not mandatory. However, it is recommended you get it to avoid the risk of shelling out money out of pocket, in case of an emergency.
You can visit the US without any health insurance and nobody is going to ask you about it. Until you visit a hospital for treatment.
Medical care is very expensive in the US and even for small things you can expect a big amount. So, if you want to avoid surprises, and not lose money, it is recommended that you get health insurance for the short term you’re visiting. This will prevent you from spending large amounts in the hospital, in unfortunate circumstances, up to a certain extent.
8 comments
Hi,
I am travelling to USA on visitor visa and plan to stay for 5 months. I am confused as to where I have to buy travel insurance. Whether from India or from USA. If from USA how do I get it. I am 58 years old. If from India , which one is good.
Can I ask my relative in USA to get it on my behalf. Please mail in detail.
Thank you.
It’s not mandatory Anu but good to get because medical care is super-expensive in USA. Why take risk? And I don’t recommend buying from India as most of those products are just good on paper. You can buy it online. Here are some good travel insurance plans for you.
Hope it helps.
Hi…my name is Edward..my friend will be sponsoring me on a visitor Visa…. Putting aside his status of living or eligibility to sponsor me what other or how much amount does he have to pay??
Thanks for doing this Mani. Great research and findings! I am buying a travel insurance for my parents and this helped a lot.
Thanks Ashwin.